Disc clamp with snap fit for a disc drive

Abstract

The invention relates to a disc clamp for mounting an information storage disc to a rotating hub of a spindle motor assembly, and a disc drive spindle hub assembly comprising said disc clamp. The disc clamp comprises an annular body portion, an inner centering portion defining a central aperture, and an annular outer peripheral clamping portion. The inner centering portion having a series of centering tabs disposed about an inner circumference of the body portion. Each centering tab includes a first tab portion extending substantially perpendicular to the body portion of the clamp, and a second tab end portion extending in an angle from the first tab portion. The centering tabs contacting an inner circumferential surface and being in a snap-fit engagement with the hub The outer peripheral portion contacting the information storage disc when the disc and the clamp are installed on the top portion of the hub.

1. A disc drive spindle hub assembly comprising:
 an annular hub ( 30 ) for supporting an information storage disc ( 40 ) mounted on a supporting surface ( 38 ) of the hub, a disc clamp ( 10 ;  110 ) having an annular body portion ( 12 ), an inner centering portion ( 18 ) defining a central aperture ( 20 ), and an annular outer peripheral clamping portion ( 14 ), wherein the body portion extends above an annular top portion ( 32 ) of the hub, the inner centering portion contacting an inner circumferential surface ( 42 ) of the hub and centers the disc clamp about the hub when the disc clamp is installed over the hub, and the outer peripheral portion of the clamp engages a top surface of the information storage disc, the centering portion comprising centering tabs ( 22 ) being in a snap-fit engagement with the hub, so that a clamping force is applied through the body portion and the peripheral portion of the clamp against the information storage disc. 
 
   
   
     2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the centering tabs ( 22 ) are hook shaped in cross section. 
   
   
     3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the centering portion ( 18 ) comprises a plurality of centering tabs ( 22 ) projecting from an inner perimeter of the body portion ( 12 ), each centering tab including a first tab portion ( 24 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the body portion of the clamp, and a second tab end portion ( 26 ;  126 ) extending in an angle from the first tab portion for snap-fit engagement with a corresponding snap surface on the hub. 
   
   
     4. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the angle is a right angle. 
   
   
     5. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the angle is an acute angle. 
   
   
     6. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the snap surface on the hub is formed as an annular recess ( 34 ) which is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the hub, wherein the tab end portions of the centering tabs extend into the annular recess. 
   
   
     7. The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the annular recess comprises an annular groove. 
   
   
     8. The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the annular recess comprises an annular step. 
   
   
     9. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hub defines an annular flange ( 36 ) having a supporting surface ( 38 ) for receiving the information storage disc ( 40 ) thereon, wherein the disc is secured between the disc clamp and the annular flange. 
   
   
     10. A disc clamp ( 10 ;  110 ) for mounting an information storage disc ( 40 ) to a rotating hub ( 30 ) of a spindle motor assembly, the disc clamp comprising:
 an annular body portion ( 12 ), 
 an inner centering portion ( 18 ) defining a central aperture ( 20 ), and 
 an annular outer peripheral clamping portion ( 14 ) the inner centering portion comprises a plurality of centering tabs ( 22 ) disposed about an inner circumference of the body portion, each centering tab includes a first tab portion ( 24 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the body portion of the clamp, and a second tab end portion ( 26 ) extending in an angle from the first tab portion, the centering tabs ( 22 ) contacting an inner circumferential surface ( 42 ) and being in a snap-fit engagement with the hub, and the outer peripheral portion contacting the information storage disc when the disc and the clamp are installed on the top portion of the hub. 
 
   
   
     11. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the centering tabs are hook shaped in cross section. 
   
   
     12. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the angle is a right angle. 
   
   
     13. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the angle is an acute angle. 
   
   
     14. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the second tab end portions ( 26 ;  126 ) are adapted for getting in a snap-fit engagement with a corresponding snap surface on the hub. 
   
   
     15. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the tab end portions ( 26 ;  126 ) of the centering tabs are projecting substantially radially outwards from the first tab portions. 
   
   
     16. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the disc clamp ( 10 ;  110 ) is made of resilient material applying a resilient force on the information disc when the clamp is mounted on the hub. 
   
   
     17. The disc clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the disc clamp ( 10 ;  110 ) is adapted to be fitted over a top portion ( 32 ) of the hub, the outer annular peripheral portion ( 14 ) having a bottom contact surface adapted to contact the information storage disc, and the centering tabs ( 22 ) are adapted to center the disc clamp on the hub.